Detroit got something right? And it may be a hybrid. Most early reviews of the Ford Fusion Hybrid seem fairly favorable. The Fusion Hybrid offers a lighter battery and can go up to 47 MPH on electric power alone compared to about 35 MPH for many competing hybrids. The feature offering the most coolness factor is an advanced set of gauges provided on LCD screens that offer drivers information (e.g. power usage by auxiliary devices) to maximize fuel efficiency. With production volumes only expected to be around 25,000 and national hybrid sales stagnating due to lower prices at the pump, the Fusion Hybrid will not be Ford’s salvation but it could represent a step in the right direction – making a car people actually want to drive.
Deal Drought: It appears that along with the rest of the economy, high-flying venture capitalists have experienced substantial turbulence over the last quarter. According to data released by The National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) and Thomson Reuters (and reported by the New York Times), there was nary a bright spot in the deal making community. Compared to the first quarter of 2008, the number of acquisitions fell 47% (from 106 to 56), the dollar value of the average deal dropped 56% (from $113 M to $49 M), and more than half of the deals returned less than the amount invested. Reports Mark Heesen, president of NVCA, “What you’re seeing now is venture capitalists losing money. You’re not seeing home runs, and you’re not even seeing triples, and that’s a concern long-range for the industry.”
